فَنَادَوْا۟ صَاحِبَهُمْ فَتَعَاطَىٰ فَعَقَرَ 29
Translations
But they called their companion, and he dared and hamstrung [her].
Transliteration
Fa-nadaw sahibahum fa-ta'ata fa-'aqara
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes how the people of Thamud called upon their companion (the one who would slaughter the she-camel) to carry out the deed, and he complied by hamstringing the she-camel. According to classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this refers to the slaughter of the miraculous she-camel sent by Allah as a test for the people of Thamud. The verb 'aqara specifically means to hamstring or cripple the animal by cutting its legs, representing the direct defiance of Allah's command and the prophet Salih's warning.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the broader narrative in Surah Al-Qamar detailing the story of the people of Thamud and their prophet Salih. The she-camel was a clear sign from Allah, and its destruction was the pivotal moment that sealed their doom. This Meccan surah was revealed to warn the Quraysh of similar consequences for rejecting the message of Muhammad (peace be upon him).
Related Hadiths
The story of the she-camel is referenced in multiple ahadith. Sahih Muslim contains narrations about the people of Thamud and their destruction. Additionally, the Quran itself references this incident in Surah Al-'Alaq (96:13-15) where it mentions those who forbid the servant of Allah from prayer.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds us that rejecting clear divine signs and collective participation in wrongdoing leads to inevitable punishment from Allah. It serves as a timeless warning that no community can escape the consequences of their deliberate disobedience, regardless of the abundance of evidence presented to them.